Account - Sign in or register

Account - Create your Pocketmags Account

Jellyfish Connect Ltd (owner of Pocketmags) would like to send you occasional emails regarding our loyalty scheme, special promotions, products and complimentary services. We'll always keep your data safe and secure and you may unsubscribe from these emails at any time. If you would prefer NOT to receive these please tick here.

Account - Welcome back!

This website use cookies and similar technologies to improve the site and to provide customised content and advertising. By using this site, you agree to this use. To learn more, including how to change your cookie settings, please view our Cookie Policy

TORO-FLOW

THE OTHER GM DIESEL

BY JIM ALLEN

A fully dressed D478 V6 from a 1964 show where the engine was first being introduced. Note the twin air filters. The air filter arrangement varied from these twins to ducted, centrally mounted filters, depending on underhood clearance. The GMC orange paint is seen on many ‘64 and ‘65 engines but gradually seems to change to yellow after that.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GM HISTORICAL

The ‘70s TV talk show host Tom Snyder was known for asking “What goes through their minds?” when confronted with inexplicable human behavior. That might apply when pondering why GMC executives directed the development of the Toro-Flow diesel. Given the array of diesels the GMC truck line had to choose from, most notably those built by GM itself, it seems an odd way to spend money. Well, GMC execs saw a low-cost diesel gap in the medium-duty truck market. Yes, the GM two-strokes were widely available, but they were expensive and noisy. GMC was not averse to going outside the company for an engine, but none of the choices quite met the low-cost criteria, either. Introduced in 1964, the Toro- Flow was the answer, but it had some baggage.